Trac Vac 580 Repower

[ditzel]

Last fall the briggs motor on my used trac vac sh*t the bed. Replaced it with a new briggs 6.5hp that I bought online from equipatron.com. I really wanted to get a Honda motor but would have had to modify the mounts and housing. The replacement briggs bolted right up.

 

[ditzel]

After using for a year, it still starts on 1st or 2nd pull and runs great.

 

[Carl_NH]

HI Ditzel,

I have the Trac Vac 580 for 18yrs now - been making mods to it this year, 7" vac hose with new 7" port on the input - custom made locally for more air flow, to work with my 52" Ferris ZT.

Its all working well, but the motor is starting to show its age, using some oil, and then getting some oil at bottom of the blower housing assume the shaft seal is leaking, so I am considering a winter project to repower with a new Briggs or Honda engine. I have no reason to go away from Briggs, the existing engine has served me well, but the Honda has 3600 RPM, and he Briggs 3300 RPM which would provide more suction.

So, my questions, what model Briggs did you buy? I am looking at this one which appears the muffler won't interfere with the blower housing - Error | DNS Resolution | Northern Tool + Equipment

The second question, did you increase the RPM of your new engine, or did you notice any improved performance? Also, how did you pull the blower impeller? I tried a few years ago with a large pulley puller, but it would budge ?